Quercus cortex

Phytotherapeutically used oak bark. Quercus species such as English oak, summer oak, holm oak, sessile oak and winter oak are the parent plants of the officinal drug (ÖAB90; DAC86) Quercus cortex (oak bark).

Quality is defined in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).

HMPC monograph: Traditional-use: symptomatic therapy of mild diarrhea, external: mild inflammation of the oral mucosa and skin; burning and itching in hemorrhoidal disorders
ESCOP: not processed
Commission. E-monograph: external: inflammatory skin diseases, mild inflammation of the mouth and throat, genital and anal area. Internal: non-specific, acute diarrheal diseases; also for local treatment

Balneology: Baths with at least 10 % tannins for inflammatory skin diseases, weeping eczema, intertrigo, itching, hyperhidrosis, wound treatment and post-treatment. For draining infected skin processes.

Empirical medicine: Increased foot perspiration, chilblains, ulcers and wound treatment. Also for bleeding gums, hemorrhoids, vulvovaginitis.

Industry: Tanning of animal skins, leather, also as timber, due to its weather resistance as poles, railroad sleepers, also as furniture wood or barrels.

Oak bark contains ellagitannins (hydrolyzable tannins), catechin tannins (condensed tannins) in a ratio of 77:23; it also contains complex tannins (including flavanoellagitannins).

Topically for inflammations in the mouth and throat area as well as genital and anal area. In the decay phase of acute or subacute eczema. Also for chronic eczema (e.g. eyelid eczema).

Peroral application in non-specific acute diarrhoeal diseases.

Rarely allergic reactions.

All parts of the plant are poisonous due to the tannins they contain.

5 g drug to 1 l water for full and partial baths.

For compresses, boil 10 g drug (1 tablespoon oak bark) in 1 liter of water for 15 minutes. Cool and use undiluted as moist compresses or poultices. Can also be used as a gargle solution. Solution must be prepared daily.

The concentration of oak bark ranges from 5 g / 1 l to 100 g / l water.

We recommend ready-made preparations.

Pregnancy and lactation due to lack of safety data, children and adolescents under 18 years.

Allergic reactions to any of the components, extensive open wounds on skin or mucous membrane.

Internally, delayed absorption of drugs administered at the same time. Caution: At least 1 hour interval before taking other drugs.

Oak bark ointment from various manufacturers, Quercus ointment;

Schupp oak bark extract (20 ml to 300 ml water for compresses)

Internally as coated tablets: oak bark, camomile flowers, marshmallow root, horsetail herb, yarrow herb, walnut leaves and dandelion herb as a combination preparation: ^Imupret®.

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2. Composition Derived from Quercus cortex (Oak bark) Extract. Molecules 20:17093-18108.
3. Kraft K (2007) Diseases of the skin. Zschr Phytotherapy 28: 76-78
4. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/eiche.php
5. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-quercus-robur-l-quercus-petraea-matt-liebl-quercus-pubescens-willd_en.pdf
6. Wenigmann M. (2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs, phytopharmaceuticals, application. Urban & Fischer, pp. 99-101
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8. Montag A (2023) Plants and skin. Springer-Verlag GmbH. S. 467-470